As part of my financially depleting quest to properly kit myself out this season, I decided I needed a new pair of shinpads. Rather than buying the cheapest pair I could find in Sports Direct, I went online for advice.
I thought there would be plenty of information. After all, given that many of us football fanatics heed each others wisdom when looking for the perfect football boots, why not go one step further and ensure all our equipment is up to scratch? On the contrary, I found practically nothing to guide me. I hope therefore that this guide will prove useful for anyone looking for new shinpads.
My £3 Umbros had lasted a good 3 seasons, but the left one had a massive crack down the middle. Besides, I had always felt restricted by the thick ankle protection on my Umbros; I felt it was quite detrimental to my first touch. I was after a pair of shinpads that would keep me sufficiently protected, whilst also being so comfortable I wouldn’t notice they were there.
Not for one moment am I suggesting that players should avoid shinpads with ankle protection. If they feel comfortable then by all means use them, as they do provide extra protection. I personally felt however that I didn’t need them. I have also noticed that 90% of Premiership players use the ‘slip-in’ style, presumably for an enhanced feel of the ball.
After much perusing, I went for a pair of Nike Mercurial Alpha Lites – £19.99 plus P+P from Prodirectsoccer. I’ve never spent anywhere near this much on shinpads, but next to the £149.99 Diadora Totti Mondiali these seemed like a bargain! I bought the Alpha Lites on the basis that:
They are the ‘slip-in’ style without ankle protection, so they should be more comfortable and less restrictive.- They are extremely light at just 1.5 oz, yet also very thick.
- They come with a pocketed Dri-FIT fabric sleeve for an ‘ultra-stable’ fit, which seemed like a cool way of keeping the pad in place, and preventing the pads from getting smelly. This is basically like a sock you put over your shins with a pocket at the front, into which you slide the shinpad.
- They are approved by NOCSAE (The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment).
- Nike describes them as ‘the most comfortable guards in the game’.
I am 5”10” so I ordered a large, which according to Nike’s website is for people between 5”-7” and 6”-1”. I would beg to differ. A word of warning; these shinpads run VERY small. I don’t know if this holds true for all Nike shinpads, but the the Alpha Lites in a large are just 7.25 inches in length. If you want to be on the safe side protection-wise I would order a size up from what Nike recommends.
After one game wearing the Alpha Lites, I wanted to send them back. In the first half I didn’t use tape, expecting the ‘rubberised grip zones’ and pocketed sleeve to hold the guards in place. But they were sliding all over the place. Putting tape above and below the guards for the second half had practically no effect.
I had to find a way of making the Alpha Lites work, since I had already used them and was unlikely to get a refund. I went back online and eventually discovered Nike Guard Stays – thick Velcro-backed straps you can tie around any slip-in shinpads to keep them in place. The Velcro allows you to adjust the tightness. I ordered a pair for about a fiver. In my next match the pads stayed completely fixed in place – result! In my view these guard stays should be sold with every pair of Nike slip-in shinpads, as they are completely essential. Don’t waste your money on tape; guard stays are much more comfortable, will last much longer, don’t come loose during a game, and most importantly keep your pads in place!
The Alpha Lites themselves seem to absorb impact really well. I couldn’t feel a thing when I hit my shins with a hammer! They also took a bit of a battering in the second match, but not a mark in sight. I only wish I had ordered a size up.
I’m not sure if they are worth the extra cash however. The pocket sleeve has no effect in terms of keeping the shinpads secure. However, it provides a barrier between the pad and your skin, which means less smelly pads. The ‘Cross-Ribbed Shell’ is very thick and excellent for absorbing impact, but in my experience even the cheapest shinpads will provide sufficient protection.
In summary, these are my top tips for buying shinpads:
- The slip-in style shinpads might feel less restrictive and improve your touch, but will leave your ankles more vulnerable. Some shinpads come with removable ankle protection, so you can decide for yourself which you prefer.
- If you get the slip-in style, make sure you also buy some guard stays; they are vital and so much better than tape!
- If you want official endorsement for peace of mind, look for NOCSAE approved shinpads.
- I don’t think there is much difference in terms of the material used for shinpads. They all provide decent protection, though some may last longer than others. Plastic shinpads tend to be the lightest.
